Which foot..

[Grippy]

Which foot do you put down first?

I was at a theory session for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (Bike section) a couple of weeks ago and was asked this question..

When you pull to a stop, which foot do you put down, or if both, which one first?

I couldn't work it out at the time but the answer came as soon as I jumped onto the - always the left.

[Ladybird]

Well personally speaking, I was originally taught the left, when doing my initial bike training.....but I feel the answer should be the right one, cos' then you're ready to knock the Bird into gear after being stationary and sitting in neutral. However been a short 'ass dependent on the terrain of the road, I sometimes drop both.

[jonah]

always left

[BirdAddict]

It's always the left so you can cover the rear break at all times, however, now that I've passed my test, I always use the right leg as it's my strongest and I feel more in control of the bike, Also makes it quicker to select first gear instead of sitting at the lights with the cluch in for 3 mins while waiting for the lights to change

[Trident]

It was always stated that the left foot should be the one on the deck as the right foot should be on the rear brake when stationary. The idea behind this is that if you get shunted from behind you will still have a degree of control over where you're going if the front wheel can still rotate. If the front wheel is locked up, you're quite likely to be pitched up in the air in the event of a "rear end punt" almost certainly leading to an off.

It is also better to use the rear brake in the event of a hill start as it enables the fingers to be fully wrapped around the throttle giving better control compared with using the front brake.

So much for the "stock answer" personally, I always use my left foot as the right foot is bolted together and doesn't bend at all.

[bezzer]

I use either so havent voted, suppose mainly because when I started the old bikes had brakes on the left, got used to them then chopped and changed between them and the "modern" right brake, the older bikes needed both brakes to stop anyway so it was always the gear foot down. Nowadays I dont use the back brake to come to a stop at lights and junctions normally so it doesnt really matter what foot goes down first so it varies. Use the front brake on hillstarts as well.

[Demontat]

I'm with Taxi... left than almost always switch to the right.. but left hits the deck first always.

I also use the rear brake on hill starts.

Of course around here the "cool" bikers on the start have both feet off the pegs about an inch off the ground and swung back almost to the rear pegs and keep it like that for the first 50 yards or so. :? Must have sumpin to do with the aerodynamics of having a tank top, shorts and sneakers on!!

[TazCBR1100XX]

Well, therez fook all in the way of hills around here, so who gives a toss about hill starts

Now to the real question - why isn't there a poll option that says BOTH or NONE cuz they're about my only options If I could get ONE foot down, I'd be happy - if I could get TWO feet down I'd be a giant

When I can get a foot down, it's the right one - I like to be able to put it into gear when the lights change. As far as the braking thing is concerned it don't matter cuz having Dual CBS yer front brake is yer back brake and yer back brake is yer front brake :? SO all you hill starters that haven't decoupled the Dual CBS system are kidding yerselves aren't ya

So no vote from the Taz on this one

PS I just farted

[AnthSP1]

[Quiney]

says the left one down as the rear brake should alway be covered. This then requires the 'shuffle' to change feet and get the bike in gear, recover the back brake and the move off.
In reality, there are so many different circumstances, - road camber, side wind, pillion reaction that either OR both feet may be needed.

Also, TazCBR1100XX, the front brake lever only operates the rear brake whilst there is some wheel rotation. As soon as the bike is stationary it only operates the front.

[XXAndy]

Yep, left for me too

[Chrixx]

I predominately put down the left foot first. I usually snick into neutral just as I stop. (Depends how long the lights have been Red). Some times the situation varies, turning left, staight on or turning right, also I watch out so as not to plant my foot on oily patches. I find that you often get these where you are allowed to use bus lanes.

[TazCBR1100XX]

the front brake lever only operates the rear brake whilst there is some wheel rotation

With legs this short, there's ALWAYS some wheel rotation

[Chrixx]

Aha, so you must be a Lowdown Bum! :hump)

[TazCBR1100XX]

Not really, but I do a lot of arsing about

[Captain]

I'm with the majority, left first then the shuffle to change ready for the off.

[Grippy]

Now to the real question - why isn't there a poll option that says BOTH or NONE cuz they're about my only options

Sorry Taz.. I didn't think that "Slip it into neutral, kick the side stand down, lean gently to the left and hope" would get many votes.

[Captain]

[XXAndy]